Despite every precaution that you might take, there comes a time when that latest PC virus slips through, and you now own a computer that is infected.
So, how do you go about fixing the problem?
With that said, here are 7 steps to cleaning an infected PC:
#1: Check if the PC is really infected
Don’t blame it on malware just because your PC is running slow. There could be a number of reasons for this. Make sure you confirm the root cause is malware before doing anything else.
#2: Confirm if malware is present
The presence of malware can be detected if it won’t allow you to open your antivirus program or even msconfig or regedit. You can sure that malware is present if it asks you to reveal financial information or run an executable file.
#3: Check the internet for possible fixes
There are a number of people who might be struggling with the same problems. Google a few keywords related to the problem, and you should find a solution mostly having to do with scanning your system.
#4: Assume that your regular antivirus scanner doesn’t work
This is true because your antivirus scanner missed detecting the malware in the first place. It’s time to try a competitor if only to take clear steps to protecting your system now by running it in such a way that the malware doesn’t load first.
#5: Use the scanner inside Safe Mode
Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, and run a couple of online scanners to check for malware such as ESET Online Scanner, BitDefender and HouseCall.
#6: Scan your system twice
You aren’t done if you run an online scanner just once. In fact, it’s important to scan your system twice so as to ensure that there is no malware that have been missed.
#7: Run a Linux-based virus scanner facility
Unfortunately, malicious software will continue to run in Safe Mode, and which is why running a linux-based virus scanner is advised. All you have to do is download the ISO image, create a bootable CD or flash drive and run it on your system.
#8: Find a new antivirus program
If you are now certain that your drive is clean, then it’s also time to keep it that way by getting an effective antivirus program compared to the last one. There are a few that you can find.